Tape recorder with cue processor

Abstract

A tape recorder with a cue signal recording function is arranged to record input signals on corresponding recording tracks of at least two channels, at least one of which is also utilized as a track for cue signal recording. When the cue signal is not being recorded, the cue signal recording track is utilized for recording a given input signal other than the cue signal, in cooperation with recording of other input signals on recording tracks other than the cue signal recording track. During recording of the cue signal on the cue signal recording track, the given input signal is recorded on one of the other recording tracks.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tape recorder with a cue signal processor, comprising: first means for providing a first recording signal;   second means for providing a second recording signal;   third means for providing a predetermined cue signal;   fourth means connected to said first means and said third means, for selecting said first recording signal or said cue signal to provide a selected signal;   fifth means connected to said second means and said fourth means and including means for recording signals on a first recording channel and a second recording channel, for recording said selected signal on said first recording channel and for recording said second recording signal on said second recording channel; and   sixth means connected to said fifth means, for detecting said cue signal from said first recording channel.   
     
     
       2. A tape recorder of claim 1, further comprising: seventh means connected to said first means, said fourth means and said fifth means, for mixing said second recording signal with said first recording signal when said fourth means selects said cue signal, wherein said first and said second recording signals are mixed and recorded by said fifth means on said recording channel.   
     
     
       3. A tape recorder of claim 1 or 2, wherein said third means includes a first signal source for generating a first cue signal;   a second signal source for generating a second cue signal; and   a cue signal selector connected to said first and said second signal sources, for selecting said first cue signal or said second cue signal as said predetermined cue signal.   
     
     
       4. A tape recorder of claim 3, wherein said sixth means includes means for separately detecting said first cue signal and said second cue signal as selected by said cue signal selector.   
     
     
       5. A tape recorder of claim 1 or 2, wherein said fifth means includes a first recording head for recording signals on said first recording channel;   a second recording head for recording signals on said second recording channel;   an erase head for erasing said first and said second recording channels;   a bias signal source connected to said first recording head and said second recording head, for providing predetermined bias currents to said first and said second recording heads;   erase prohibiting means connected to said erase head, for disabling operation of said erase head when said predetermined cue signal is recorded on said first recording channel; and   bias prohibiting means connected to said second recording head and said bias signal source, for disabling said bias currents from flowing through said second recording head when said predetermined cue signal is recorded on said first recording channel.   
     
     
       6. A tape recorder with a cue signal processor, comprising: input signal recording means for recording a predetermined input signal on a corresponding one of at least two recording channels;   cue signal recording means connected to said input signal recording means, for recording a predetermined cue signal which is separate from said input signal on at least one of said recording channels, wherein a recording channel other than said corresponding one is utilized for recording of said input signal during a period in which said cue signal is recorded on said at least one of said recording channels; and   cue signal detecting means connected to said input signal recording means, for detecting said cue signal on said at least one of said recording channels;   wherein said input signal recording means is disabled from recording said predetermined input signal on the corresponding recording channel during the period in which said cue signal recording means is operated to record said cue signal on said at least one of said recording channels.